Book pressing and drying machine



April 28, 1953 J. N. HICKS ETAL 2,636,195

BOOK PRESSING AND DRYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 195o 7 sheets-sheet 1 uzl.

April28, 1953 J. N. HlcKs ETAL BOOK PRESSING AND DRYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1950 April 28, 1953 J. N. HICKS ET AL BOOK PRESSING AND DRYING MACHINE Fild Feb. 2a. 195o 7 Shee-fs-Sheet 3 illiK ATTORNEY April 28 1953 J. N. HlcKs ET AL 2,636,195

' BooK PREssING AND DRYING MACHINE Fileaeb. 2s: 195o v sheets-sheet 4 April 28, 1953 J. N. HlcKs ET AL 2,636,195

BooK'PREssING AND DRYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22a,Y 195o 7 sheets-sheet 5 ATTOR April 28, 1953 J. N. HICKS ET AL 2,636,195

BooK PREssING AND DRYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28. '195o 7 sheets-sheet e mijl. Z6

O OOOOO s ATTORNEYS Abril 28, 1953 J. N. HlcKs ET A1. 2,636,195

BOOK PRESSING AND DRYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1950 '7 sheets-sheet 7 Q5 270 2g7 25.0 Z511," 274 V 282 l ATTORNEYS;

vopera-tion of the machine.

drying machine embodying the present invention.

The book pressing and drying machine comprises in general two pairs of continuous cover pressing and sheet drying devices in the form of,

'the books and move them along the way as the belt ismoved. The two outside pressing and drying plates are stationary, whilethe two inwards and from their corresponding outside 'plates into closed position to press the books,

or into open position to release them for advancement along the ways. A manually operable member is provided for controlling each cycle of member is actuated by the `operator, thefollow- 'ing cycle of operation is performed: The two inside plates are moved simultaneously from their closed or book pressing-position to their open or book releasing position; the two belts in theA 'turned to their closed or book pressing position.

TheA machine remains in this condition until the -operator again actuates the control member.

Referring to the drawings, the improved machine, more speciiically, comprises a table I supported on a frame structure I I, which in turn vis desirably mounted on casters I2 (Figs. l and to permit easy transportation of the machine into any desired locality. The mechine denes two parallel ways I3 (Figs. 2, 5, and 6) along which two rows of books A in tandem are fed step by step. Each of these ways I3 is formed A-by a pair of vcontinuous opposed heating and pressing devices desirably in the form of plates I4 and I5 (Figs. 1-5, 7) extending along the 'machine and relatively movable towards andV from each other in a manner to be hereinafter described. Along the bottom of each of these ways vI3 isthe upper flight or run I6 of an endless feed beltl I1, of the roller link sprocket chain When this control type (Figs. 1, 2, '7 and 11-13), passing over a pair of sprocket wheels I8 and I9 at the opposite ends of the belt run and operated insteps in Vthey mannerto be hereinafter described. This Yfeed -belt or chain I1 comprises a series of side links 2E! with rollers 2I therebetween.v The roll- -ers.2l onthe upper belt run I6 ride over a track 22 which supports said run horizontally against sagging and which is retained in grooves 23 in.

respective spacer blocks 24. These spacer blocks are connected to and between side frames 25 to For pushing the books along the ways I3 with the upper belt run I6, the belt I1 has -a series of 'dogs or pushers 26 spaced therealong according to the desired spacing between the books.

This pusher 26 comprises a roller 21 adapted to engage the edge of the book between the covers and supported at the outer end 'ofan arm 28, the inner base end of which is anged for attachment to the belt I1, in a manner to be described.

For supporting the lower belt run, there is provided idler rollers 29 (Fig. 1 and 11) slidable along respective axles 29a to accommodate for adjustments in the sideway position of the conveyor belt I1 and provided with annular shoulders 29b to support side flanges 29c on the belt links 20.

The belt links 20 are detachable and reversible, to permit any single link 25 at a region where it is desired to attach a pusher 26 to be reversed and to employ thereby the ilange 2.9

fon the reversed link for the attachment of the flanged base of the pusher arm 28, through the use of a screw stud 29d. The link flanges '29e are desirably all perforated to receive the stud 29d at any section along the belt I8, when the link 20 at said section is reversed.

At the book entry end 30 of the machine, there are provided beyond the ends of the plates I4 and I5 two `feeder troughs 3| (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) in line with the ways I3 respectively. These feeder troughs SI comprise a xed center wall member 32 and fixed side plate members 33 anking said center wall member and spaced therefrom to denne therewith the troughs 3l. The upper belt runs I 6 extend along the bottom of these troughs 3I and serve to feed the books placed in said troughs by the operator into the ways I3 between the plates I4 and I5. i

Each of the heating and pressing plates I4 and I5 comprises a pair of long steel iiat sheets 36 and 31 (Figs. 3, 4 and '1) separated by upright spacer bars 38 and fastened together by bolts (not shown). The spacer bars 38 are ar- :ranged at intervals along the plates to dene housings for electric heating elements 4U. Each of these heating elements 40 is backed with an asbestos sheeting 4I and is pressed directly against the inner metal sheet 36 by a thin metal plate 42 bearing against said asbestos sheeting 4I`throughscrews 43 threaded into the outer -metal sheet 31.

Thev heating elements 40 are connected to outlets 39 (Fig. 1) by means of conductor cords 39a and are controlled by thermostats 44 located at the' top of the machine. There are four of these thermostats 44, two on each side of the machine. Each of the four plates I4, I4, I5 and I5 is controlled by a corresponding thermostat VMi which can be manually set through a control handle 45 and which is responsive to a thermometer (not shown) located in the corresponding plate assembly. The temperature can be controlled, as for example, from room temperature to 210 F.

A pressing device or jaw 50 (Figs. 3, '1 and l1), for creasing the hinge grooves in the covers of the books and 4in the sheet paper inserts and in the form of a long thin narrow horizontal metal bar, is attached to the bottom of each plate unit i4,A I4, I5 and I5. Each jaw bar 50 is held in place by an angle iron 5 I, running the full length of the plate assembly. One horizontal leg of angle iron 5I is clamped up against the jaw,

while the other vertical leg extends upwardly into the space between the two sheets at and a1 and is secured to the outer sheet 31 by cap screws 52 (desirably of the allen head type);

passing through said sheet Hand-threaded into I pressure plates I5 into open position to release the books therebetween at one pressing and drying station and to permit them to be moved along the ways I3 by the feed belt I1 to the next pressing and drying station and are then moved Atowards their corresponding outer pressure plates I5 into closedposition to press and dry the books at this next station until the next manual operation of said control member. For effecting these operations of the plates I4, there is provided a shaft (Figs. 1 and 7) extending along the bottom of the machine and supported in pillow block bearings III mounted upon the bottom cross members I|2 of the machine'frame II. This shaft I|0 eeets by its operation the movement of the plates I4 towards and away from the corresponding plates l andis rocked for that purpose by an individual power unit in the form of an air cylinder II3 slanting upwardly and outwardly towards the side of the f machine and containing a reciprocable piston ||4 connected to a piston rod ||5. This piston rod ||5 is pivotally connected at its outer lower end to a crank arm IIB affixed to the rockshaft I I0. i i

The transmission between the rockshaft IIO and theinner plates I4 comprises a plurality of vertical slides II8 (Figs. 6 and '1) in the form of at bars arrangedin pairs, the two slides of each pair facing each other and rigidly connected 5;.

together at the bottom by the blocks I i0 to form a unit. YThe two slides ||0 of each unit are guided for vertical movement between two corresponding guide plates secured to the frame structure of the machine. These two guide plates |20 extend upwardly and flank the corresponding pair of opposed support brackets 95 between the plates I4. The two slides I|8 of each unit are in face engagement with these guide plates |20,

ank the corresponding pair of opposed plate support brackets 95, and slidably engage these support brackets along their edges.

For moving each pair of slides IIB'up and down in unison, the rockshaft ||0 has `secured thereto a corresponding crank arm |22 pivotally connected to one end of a link |23, the other end operating these slides through a toggle device comprising two'levers |25 and |26 joined togetherat |21 end to end but not in line, the upper lever |25 having an angular extension^|28 pivotally secured to said link |23. The outer or upper end of the upper toggle lever |25 has a Xed pivotal support comprising a bolt |3| secured in xed position to the fixed guide plates |20 and passing through the corresponding slides IIB. A roller' |32, embracing this bolt |3| and extending between the guide plates |20, passes through aligned elongated slots l|33 in the slides IIB with .a snug slide fit to permit these slides to .move upwardly past the roller |32, while being held thereby against edgewise displacement.

-The lower toggle leverA |26 is pivotally se cured to the slides Ii0 by a bolt |35 extending through aligned elongated slots |36 in the guide plates |20 and carrying rollers |31 at its ends tting into said slots to effect a slide bearing connection between said rollers and said guide plates. By means of this arrangement and the slot and roller connections |3|, |32 and |33 associated with the upper toggle lever |25, the two slides II8 of each unit, as they move'up and down, are held in vertical alignment with the two flanking guide plates |20.

As the rockshaft IIO is moved clockwise (Fig. 7) through operation of the piston ||4, the

upper toggle lever |25 swings counterclockwise about its pivotal connection 3| with the guide plates |20 and thus moves the lower toggle lever |26 substantially endwise upwardly, causing thereby the two slides ||8 of each unit to move upwardly through the pivot connection |3501 said lower toggle lever |26 with said slides. The reverse downward movement of the slidesv II8 of'each unit is effected when the rockshaft 4| I0 is moved counterclockwise (Fig. '1) through op erationof the piston II4.

YFor moving the pressure plates I4 in and out in response to the vertical movement of the slides |I8, the two slides of each unit carry four pins |40, two on each side having'tight fits at their ends with saidslides. I'hese pins |40 are flush with the outer surfaces of said slides. so that they can move freely up and down without rubbing on the inside surfaces of the guide plates |20. Rollers I4I, embracing the pins |40 and extending into elongated cam slots |42 in the plate support brackets 95, serve as bearings -for the slides I8 and for said brackets in their relative movements. Two of these elongated slots |42 are arranged in each bracket 95 extending parallel and inclined upwardly and sideways outwardly.

According to the foregoing arrangement, when the two slides I I8 of each unit are in their lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 7, the rollers I4I are in the lower portions of their respective cam slots |42. In this position of the slides IIB,

the inner plates I4 are in their outward operative position, cooperating with their corresponding outer plates I5 to pressy and dry the books. When the slides IIB are'moved upward, the rollers I4| carried by said slides, and riding in the inclined cam slots of the brackets 05 supporting the plates |4, move said plates inwardly towards each other and away from their corresponding plates I5 to release the books for feed along the ways I3. The movement of the slides I|8 downward returns the inner plates I4 to their pressure applying position.

The operation of the air power unit, by which the movements of the inner plates I4 with-respect to the outer plates I5 -are effected, 'is manually controlled through the operation of a solenoid and spring operated air control valve |50 (Figi) located on one of the bottom crosspieces of the frame structure under the front or feeder entry end of the machine. This air control valve |50 serves to control the air under pressure coming from a suitable source of air pressure (not shown) through a pipe |46 leading into a pressure regulating and distributing valve device |41 and has its inlet connected to this device by a pipe |48. The speed of theopening and closing movements of the pressure plates I4 can be controlled by regulating an exhaust cock |49 on the air control valve |50.

The air control valve |50 may be of any suitable well known type, but in the specic form shown in Figs. 14, 15 and16 is of the so-called Ross i-way type having a solenoid 250 controlled by stems259 and 200 operated simultaneously by,

a bar 26| forming another transverse extension of said walking beam.

This walking beam 256 is-pivoted at 262 and has one end pivotally secured to the plunger of the solenoid 250 and has its other end operating the poppet valves 25 I. 252, 251 and 258 through its transverse extension bars 255 and 26|.

The air valve |50 has the intake connection |48 communicating with two valve chambers 266 and 261 through the valves 252 and 251. The valve chamber 266 communicates with a valve chamber 268 through ports 216 and 21| in said chambers respectively and a conduit 212 there between. This valve chamber 268 has a connectionA |11 with one end of the air cylinder H3.

The valve chamber 261 communicates with a valve chamber 213 through ports 214 and 215 in said chambers respectively and a conduit 216 therebetween. The valve chamber 213 has a con nection |18 with the opposite end of the cylinder H3. v

The air valve |58 also includes two valve chambers 218 and 280 with exhaust ports 28| and 282 respectively communicating with a port 266 in an exhaust chamber 284 through conduits 285 and 286 respectively. This exhaust chamber 282 has an outlet connection 281 with the exhaust cock |49.

The air valve |50 is shown in Fig. 16 in deenergized position of the solenoid 25|). In this position, a spring 288 acting on the beam 256 closes valves 25| and 252 and opens valves 251 and 258. The arrows in full lines in Fig. 16 indicate the direction of flow of the air right after the solenoid 256 has been deenergized in the position shown. When the solenoid 256 is energized-1 the valves 25| and 252 are opened and the valves 251 and 258 are closed and the flow of air is inv yand to transmit, with minimum or shock and impact, movement closing thev microswitch The microswitch |5| pressed plunger or tappet |56 adapted to act on the switch contacts to close them when said comprises a spring A,

plunger is pressed inwardly and to permit the contacts to open when spring released outwardly. A bell crank |51 is pivoted at |53 on an arxnr |66 secured to the switch support |52a and has one arm |61 engaging the plunger |56 and the other arm I 6I carrying a roller |62 riding on the upper edge of the lever bar |53.

For automatically locking the microswitch I5I in closed position for a period or each operating cycle, the rear end of the lever bar |55 has a catch conformation |63, formed by av curved notch |64 dening a heel |65. Cooperating with this catch conformation |63, is a latch bar |66 passing with clearance throughthc table I6 and through a. collar |61 secured to said table and pivotally suspended from said collar |68. The pivot |66 is located off center with respect to said latch bar to cause the latter when released to swing gravitationally into the position shown by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 8 and hold the microswitch I5| in closed position. The latch bar |66 is provided at its upper end with a tongue |10 having an upper curved end III to permit l@ it to slide easily under the heel |65 of the catch conformation |63 at the end of the lever bar |53 and to t substantially conformably in the notch |64 of said catch conformation, when said latch bar |66 is cammed into the position` shown by the full lines in Fig. 8.

For effecting such cam action on the latch bar |66 to release the microswitch |5| into open position, there is provided at the front end of the machine, attached to the bolt |35, a rod |13 which connects the lower toggle lever |26 of the front toggle device to the corresponding front slide unit l5, IIS and which is guided for vertical movement in a guide hole (not shown) in an upper frame member |14 (Fig. 5). The upper end of this rod |13 carries a cam cone |15 (Fig. 8) which is heldin adjusted position thereon by a set screw |16.

As the cam cone |15 is moved upward by the upward movement of the slide unit I I8, II8, it strikes the lower end of the latch bar |66 while suspended in the switch locking position shown by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 8 and causes it to move counterclockwise about its pivot |68 into the position shown by the full lines in Fig. 8. In this latter position, the lever bar |53 is permitted to turn about its pivot at |54 into position to release the microswitch |5I and to permit it to open.

In the position shown in Fig. 8, the microswitch |5I is open, the solenoid operating the airvalve is deenergized, the valve |50 is in position to admit air under pressure into the upper end. ofthe air cylinder II3 through hose connection |11 (Figs. 7 and 16). the piston IIA is in its lowermost position in the air cylinder H3. and the lower end of said air cylinder is Open to exhaust through hose connection |18. In such open position of the microswitch |5|, the piston rod ||5 is in fully projected position shown in Fig. 7, the slide units |I8, |I8 are in their lowermost position, and the plates I/-l are moved toward their corresponding plates I5 to press and dry the books in the two ways I3.

When the operator depresses the spring plate I 55 on the trip lever |52, this lever is turned about its pivot at |54 and the microswitch I5I is thereby closed. At the same time, the latch bar I 66 is released and permitted to swing about its ofi center pivot |68 into the position shown by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 8. In this released position, the latch bar |66 blocks the return of the trip lever |52 into full line position shown and holds said trip lever in the switch closing position, even though the operator has released the spring plate |55 on said lever.

Assoon as the microswitch I5! is closed by the operators depression of the spring plate |55 as just described, the air valve |50 is operated by the energized solenoid into position to admit air under pressure into the lower end of the air cylinder I I3 through the hose connection |18 and to exhaust air from the upper end of the cylinder through the hose connection |11. This causes the piston rod II5 to move upwardly in the air cylinder |I3 and rotates thereby the rockshatt H5 clockwise to cause the slide units H8, IIS to move upwardly. This upward movement of the slide units IIS, IIB causes the plates I4 to move inwardly towards each other and away from their corresponding plates I5 and to release the books in the ways AI3 for the next feeding step.

While the front end slide unit |18, IIB is moving upwardly, the cam cone |15 carried by said circuit of the solenoid controlling the air valve |50 and causes said valve under spring action to move into position to admit air under pressure to the upper end of the air cylinder ||3 through the hose connection |11 and to exhaust the air from the lower end of the cylinder through the hose connection |18. This causes the rockshaft I| to rotate counterclockwise (Fig. 7) and to move thereby, through theslide units IIB, ||8,

the plates I4 into book pressing and drying positions. The plates I4 remain in this active position until the operator again depresses the spring plate |55 on the trip lever |52.

YWhile the microswitch is open and the plates I4 are in book pressing and drying positions, the feed belts I1 are stationary. But when the plates I4 are in open or book releasing position due to the closing of the microswitch |5I, the feed belts I1 are operated just suiciently to move the books in the ways I5 one step along said ways to the next pressing and drying station. The feed belts I1 then come to rest, while the plates I4 are moving towards their book pressing and drying position.

For operating the feed belts |1 in the manner indicated, there is provided another individual power unit comprising a long slender air cylinder |85 (Fig. l) located underneath the table I0 and inclined upwardly and rearwardly of the machine. This air cylinder |85 contains a piston |86 operating a piston rod |81 secured to an endless inclined chain |88 passing over a sprocket wheel |90 (Fig. 9) at the upper end of the chain run and passing over a sprocket wheel (not shown) at the lower end of the run. This sprocket wheel |90 is supported for free rotation on a shaft IBI journalled in suitable bearings secured to the frame structure of the machine and has a ratchet and pawl connection with said shaft comprising a ratchet wheel |92 keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to said shaft and a pawl |93 pivotally supported on the sprocket wheel |90 by a pivot screw |94 and yieldably pressed into engagement with said ratchet wheel by a spring |95. Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 9| is another sprocket wheel |86 driving'a shaft |91 (Figs. 1 and 2) through an endless chain |98 passing over said sprocket wheel |56 and over a sprocket wheel 200 secured to said shaft I 91. The shaft |91 carries the sprocket wheels I8 over which the two endless book feeding belts Il' in the two ways I3 pass.

When the upper run of the chain |88 to which the outer end of the piston rod |81 is connected is moved to the left (Fig. 1) by the action of said piston rod, the pawl |93 engaging the tooth on the ratchet Wheel |92 rotates said ratchet wheel counterclockwise (Fig. 9) and causes corresponding rotation of the shaft I9I. Such r0- tation of the shaft ISI causes the rotation of the drive shaft |91 of the feeder belts |'1 in the direction to cause the upper runs I5 of these belts to advance the books along the ways I3 one step. The length of this feed step depends on the length of movement of the piston rod |81.

When the upper run of the chain |88 is returned to the right (Fig. l) by the return movement of the piston rod |81, the sprocket wheel |92 rides idl'yon-the shaft ISI, so that this return movement ofthe piston rod is not trans mitted to the feed belts I1.

For controlling the operation of the air power unit |85, |86, there is provided a mechanically operated air control valve 205 (Figs. 1 and 10) which may be of any well known type, but which is illustrated in Fig. 10 of the so-called Lehigh four-way type. In the specific form shown, this air valve v205 comprises a slide valve I 99 oonnected to a lever 2 I0 and slidable in a filter sleeve 200. The air valve 205 has an inlet port 20|, two ports 202 and 203 on opposite sides of the valve connected to opposite ends respectively of the air cylinder |85 and exhaust chambers 205 and 205b blocked off or opened in accordance with the axial position of the slide valve member |99.

The valve 205 has its inlet 20| connected to the pressure regulating and distributing valve device |41 through a pipe 204 (Fig. 1) and is controlled from the rockshift ||0 through 'a crank 206 (Fig. 10) rigidly attached to said shaft and carryinga cam 201 With'an open slot 208. The air valve 205 is operated from the lever 2|0 carrying a roller 2| I extending into the cam slot 208. l

While the rockshaft ||'0 is in the position indicated in Fig. l0, the air valve 205 is in position to admit air under pressure into the upper end (Fig. l) of the air cylinder |85 through a pipe connection 2| 3 and to exhaust the air from the lower end of the air cylinder through a pipe connection 2|4. The piston rod |81 will, therefore, be in the limit of its inward position in the air cylinder |85. 7

When the rockshaft ||0 is rotated counterclockwise (Fig. 10) through the manipulation of the trip lever |52 by the operator in the manner already described and while the plates I 4 are opening up to release the books from pressure, the lever 2|0 moves the air valve 205 in position to admit air under pressure to the lower end of the air cylinder I 85 through the pipe connection 2|4 and to exhaust the air from the upper end of the air cylinder through the pipe connection 2|3. This moves the piston rod |81 outwardly from the air cylinder |85 and causes the upper'runs I8 of the feed belts I 1 to ad- Vance one step. The speed of advancement of these upper belt runs I8 is controlled by regulating an exhaust pet cock 2|@ (Figs. 1 and'l) in the air valve 205. The return movement ofthe piston in the air cylinder |85 is controlled by an exhaust cock.2 I1 in the air valve 205.

While the rockshaft |||l is returning clockwise (Fig. k10), and while the plates I4 are moving into pressure applying position. the lever 2|0 moves the air valve 205 in position to admit air under pressure' to the upper end of the air cylinder |85 through the pipe connection 2|3 and to exhaust the air from the lower end of the'alr cylinder |85 through the pipe connection 2|4. This moves the piston rod |81 inwardly into the air cylinder |85 and moves the belt chain |88 idly over the shaft I9I.

The air cylinder |85 is long and slender and in the specific form `shown may be of twentyfour inches full stroke length. However, the length of the piston stroke can be varied by placing a tube 220 (Fig. l) over the piston rod v the tube 220. For example, a tube twelve inches erator, without any danger of` overheating The operation of the machine cantherebyi atany instant be adapted to the prevailing conditions at the time, such as the speed at which the books are discharged from the casing-in machine, the type and size of books being assembled and the character of the adhesive employed, without the necessity of changing cams or making other material changes in the machine.

Moreover, the pressing and heating plates llly and l5 being continuous along substantially the full length of the machine, there is assurance that the entire areas of the book covers are einbraced by these plates at any operating station therea-long.

Furthermore, the books are advanced by the simple but nevertheless `effective expedient of conveyor belts without injury to the books, instead of clamping devices and the likewhich not only require comparatively expensive devices to operate, but which have the eiect of injurying or marring the book covers.

Also, the machine has two production lines opera-ted simultaneously and conveniently by a single operator and occupies space-not much A more than that occupied by a single production line. Moreover, these two production lines are operated simultaneously by the same operating and control devices, thereby electing increased capacity Without a corresponding increase in the cost of the machine.

While the invention has vbeen described with particular reference to a specific embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not yto be limited thereto, but is to be construed broadly and re- :z

stricted solely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1'. In a book pressing and drying machine, the

combination of a pair of opposed side pressing .gg

plate devices defining a way for a row of books, an endless conveyor belt having a book feeding run extending along the bottom of said way and adapted to receive the books thereon edgewise, a rockshaft, a iirstair cylinder and pistonunit for oscillating said rockshaft through one cycle, a second air cylinder and piston unit for advancing said conveyor belt one step, an air control -valve for said second cylinder and piston unitga connection between said rockshaft and one plate device for moving it transversely with respect to the other device into closed position to press said books yieldably by air pressure action and into open position 'to release them for advance; and a connection between said rockshaft and said air control valve to cause said belt run toadvance one step while said movable plate device is in open or book releasing position. 2. In a book pressing and drying machine, the combination of a pair of opposed side-pressing plate devices, a slide device, an air cylinder and piston unit for moving said slide device, a connection between said slide device and one plate device for moving the latter transversely with respect to the opposed plate device into book pressing and book releasing positions, an air control valve for said cylinder. and piston uni-t, a manually operable control member for said valve to cause said slide device to move in one direction and to move thereby said plate device towards open or book releasing position, a latch for automatically holdingsaid control member in actuated position, and a connection between said slide device and said latch for releasing said latch whilev said slide device is terminating its stroke'in said direction to permit said 'air con trol valve to return to initial position and cause the slide device to return said movable plate dev vice to closed or book pressing position. r.

3. In a book pressing and drying machine, a pair of opposed side pressing continuous plates defining a way for a row of books the lengths of said plates being sufciently long vto receive a series of books therealong in tandem simultaneously at diierent pressing and drying stations. one of said plates'being movable towards and from the other to eiect alternate pressing of the books between said plates and release thereof for advancement along said way, said otherplate being stationary butbeing mounted for adjustment towards and from uthe ymovable plate, a plurality of adjusting means spaced alongv said stationary plate for ,'adjustably moving said stationary plate towards and away from the movable plate, and a single control member for operating all of said adjusting means simultaneously.' y fl. In a book pressing yand drying machine', the combination of a pair of opposed side pressing plates defining a way for a row of books, one of said plates being movable towards and away from the other to effect alternate pressing of the books between said plates and release thereof for ad'- vancement along said way, said other plate being stationary but being mounted for adjustment towards and from the movable plate, a series of supports for said stationary plate, a screw spindie threaded into each of said supportsA for adjusting said stationary platetowards and from said movable plate,.a handle on one of said screw spindles, and chainand sprocket drive connections between said'screw spindles to effect their adjustment in unison. r'

5. In a book pressing and drying machine, the combination of a pair of opposed vside pressing plates defining 'a way for a row of books, one of said plates being movable towardsl and from the other to eiectalternate pressing of the books between said plates and release thereof for advancement along said way, said other plate being stationary but being mounted for adjustment towards and from the movable plate, and an endless conveyor belt havinga book feeding run extending along the bottom of the Way to support the books thereon edgewise, said conveyor belt being adjustable transversely to maintain 'a constant relationship between the position of the book feeding run and the positions of the plates.

6. Ina book pressing and drying machine, the combination according to claim 5, comprising means for adjusting said stationary plate and said belt run simultaneously but to different extents to maintain a .constant relationship between the position of said belt run and the positions of said plates.

.. '7. In a book pressing and drying machine, the

combination of a pair of .opposed side pressing 'plates defining a way for a row of books, one of said plates being movable towards and'4 from the other to effect alternate pressing of the books between said plates and release thereof for advancement along said way, said other plate being stationary but being mounted for adjustment towards and from the movable plate, a' series of supports for said stationary plate, an endless conveyor belt having a book feeding run along the per inch on the part of each of said spindles engaging the corresponding plate support being half as many as the number of threads per inch on the part engaging the belt run support, and means for rotating said spindles in unison and to the same extent.

8. In a book pressing and drying machine, the combination of a pair of long horizontally disposed parallel pressing plates having opposed continuous faces to act simultaneously upon the opposite sides of a series of books in tandem, said plates defining a guideway for the books in their advance through the machine and affordingaplurality of pressing and drying stations for each book along said guideway, the number and location of said stations varying in accordance with any variation in the number and location of the books in the series. power means for moving said pressing plates relatively to each other to open and closed positions, respectively, automatic means operated in timed relation to said power means for advancing the books step by step from station to station in the open position of the side pressing plates, and means for varying the extent of operation of said advancing means to correspondingly vary the length of the book advancing step.

9. The combination according to claim 8, wherein the book advancing means include an endless conveyorbelt disposed with its upper run along the bottom of the guideway, said belt supporting the books by their backs and having pusher elements rising between the side pressing plates to engage the trailing ends of the books between their covers.

10. The combination according to claim 8, wherein the power means for moving the side pressing plates are operated in periodic cycles, coming to rest at the end of each cycle with the side pressing plates in closed position and exerting pressure against the books until the inauguration of the next succeeding cycle.

11. The combination according to claim 10, including manually operable means to initiate the operation of said power means at each cycle, and automatic means to bring the power means to rest at the end of each cycle.

12. The combination according to claim 8, wherein the power means for moving the side pressing plates include a reversible pneumatic power unit operable in periodic cycles, said pneumatic unit coming to rest at the end of each cycle with the side pressing plates in closed position and exerting a yielding pressure against the books until the inauguration of the next succeeding cycle.

13. The combination according to claim 12, including ay control valve for said reversible pneumatic power unit, manual means for actuating the control valve to initiate the operation of the pneumatic unit at each cycle, and automatic means for actuating the control valve to bring the pneumatic unit to rest at the end of each cycle.

14. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the endless conveyor belt is operated by an automatically controlled reversible pneumatic power unit operable in periodic cycles, said power unit advancing the belt one step forward at the beginning of each cycle and coming to rest at the end of each cycle.

15. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the power means for moving the side pressing plates include a reversible pneumatic power unit operable in periodic cycles, said fewer unit coming to rest at the end of each cycle with the side pressing plates in closed position and exerting a yielding pressure against the books until the inauguration of the next succeeding cycle, and wherein the endless conveyor belt is operated by a second reversible pneumatic power unit operable in the same periodic cycles under the automatic control of the rst pneumatic unit, said second pneumatic unit advancing the belt one step forward at the beginning of each cycle and coming to rest at the end of each cycle.

16. The combination according to claim 8, including a pair of opposed continuous creasing jaws for producing the hinge joints or grooves in the backs of the books, said jaws being xed to the side pressing plates and projecting inwardly a predetermined distance from the book contacting faces of said plates.

17. The combination according to claim 9, including a pair of opposed continuous creasing jaws for producing the hinge joints or grooves in the backs of the books, said jaws being xed to the side pressing plates at a predetermined distance above the upper run of the conveyor belt and projecting upwardly a predetermined distance from the book contacting faces of said plates.

18. In a book pressing and drying machine, the combination of two pairs of long horizontally disposed parallel pressing plates defining two sideby-'side guideways for two series of books, with the books of each series arranged in tandem, the plates of each pair having opposed continuous faces to act simultaneously upon the opposite sides of the books in the corresponding series and affording a plurality of pressing and drying stations for each book along the corresponding guideway, the two outer side pressing plates ofr the respective pairs being xed and the two inner side pressing plates of the respective pairs being mounted for movement from and toward the fixed plates to open and closed positions, respectively, a first single power unit connected to the movable plates of the two pairs for eiecting their movement simultaneously, two endless conveyor belts disposed along the bottoms of the respective guideways for advancing the books step by step from station to station in the open position of the side pressing plates of the respective series, a second single power unit connected to both of said conveyor belts for operating them simultaneously to advance the books in both series in the open position of the two pairs of side pressing plates, and automatic means for controlling the operation of the second power unit in proper `timed relation to that of the rst power unit.

JOHN N. HICKS. MARVIN FORDr SUPY. RALPH H. MCDAVID.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 782,750 Hoffstedt Feb. 14, 1905 1,844,516 Meyer Feb. 9, 1932 2,151,957 Davis Mar. 28, 1939 2,151,991 Schramm Mar. 28, 1939 2,246,461 Cannon June 17, 1941 2,301,028 Esch Nov. 3, 1942 2,362,054 Denison Nov. 7, 1944 2,365,148 Clark Dec. 12, 1944 2,465,758 Sedgwick Mar. 29. 1949 

